Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) are getting attention as delivery system for nutraceuticals due to its low toxicity and higher loading efficiency of active ingredients. However, the cytotoxicity of NLC had not fully evaluated especially on neuroblastoma. In this study, cytotoxicity of NLC and curcumin-loaded NLC (C-NLC) were evaluated on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells investigating cell morphology, mitochondrial activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production compared to H2O2 treatment as a positive control. As a result, the metabolic activity was inhibited about 40% by 250ppm of NLC along with morphological change. C-NLC exhibited 50% inhibitory effect on mitochondrial activity at 500ppm, which was lower than NLC itself. Moreover, NLCs significantly induced ROS production which was recognized as one of the indicators of cytotoxicity generated by NLCs. In conclusion, lower cytotoxic effect was observed with NLC on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma based on ROS production and these investigation could be used for further application of NLC in food industry.

• Gyoung-Deuck Kim(Department of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University)
• Joong-Hyuck Auh(Department of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University)